Shekóli. Is something happening here? This winter will bring the next installment in the blockbuster Thor series with indigenous director Taika Waititi at the helm; a Native Hawaiian, Jason Mamoa, stars as Aquaman in another huge production, The Justice League, premiering in November; and we’ve already enjoyed the rise of Eugene Brave Rock, who became a surprise breakout star in one of the most heralded films of the year, Wonder Woman. Brave Rock, who appeared in Indian Country as last issue’s Shining Star, is followed this month by Michael Greyeyes, currently galvanizing audiences as one of the lead characters in the smash AMC series, Fear of the Walking Dead. It’s a rare turn of events from a time just a few years back when there were no Native actors on primetime TV, and few appearing on the big screen.
Our cover subject this month, Martin Sensmeier, is part of these positive developments. He appears in Wind River, released this month and starring Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen alongside a slew of other talented Native actors, such as Graham Greene, Gil Birmingham, Julia Jones and Tantoo Cardinal. Wind River, a gritty thriller partially shot on the Wind River Indian Reservation with the approval the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapahoe nations, won an award at Cannes. Advance reviews hold out the promise of a highly-regarded, new showcase for a range of Indian talent. The film is the first directorial effort of Taylor Sheridan, who wrote the screenplay for last year’s Hell or High Water, which also featured Gil Birmingham. Sheridan is sensitive to the complexity of Indian country’s relationship with the United States. “It is a great shame of my nation the manner it has treated the original inhabitants of North America,” read his acceptance speech at Cannes. “Sadly, my government continues that shame through an insidious mixture of apathy and exploitation. There is nothing I can do to change the issues afflicting Indian country, but what we can all do as artists—and must do—is scream about them with fists clenched. What we CAN do—is make sure these issues aren’t ignored. Then the people who can effect change will be forced to.”
For decades, Native leaders and activists have petitioned Hollywood, because of its enormous cultural and historical influence, to end the stereotypes it helped perpetuate for years—stereotypes that suppressed awareness in the home, classroom and even Congress. To actually find artists willing to “scream” about these issues will only accelerate the leveling of the playing field.
In this issue’s wide-ranging and entertaining interview with Martin Sensmeier, the actor talks about the challenges in today’s movie industry, how it felt to act with stars Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt in The Magnificent Seven, and the rez reality of Wind River. He also underscores the importance of returning to Native communities to give back. “I feel like I have a responsibility that comes with this platform that I’ve been given,” he says. “I didn’t necessarily have that when I was a kid. There were no Native actors traveling to Alaska to talk to us when I was a kid.” It’s fitting that our profile of Sensmeier appears in this edition. Throughout this issue and The 2017 Hot Lists special section, which draws attention to some exciting developments not just in the arts but business and travel as well, readers will find many examples of Indians who share his vision. There is something happening here—just turn the page and let Native talent tell the story.
NΛ ki’ wa,
Ray Halbritter
